Chapter 8
1391 Words
“Oh my God, I am so sorry,” I apologized as I looked up, gazing into the Prince’s eyes as he stared down at me with yearning.
“Hello, Farrah,” Dax whispered. My name rolled off his tongue like a sweet symphony.
“Prince, please excuse my clumsiness,” I apologized.
The Prince glanced down at my slippers, and I forgot I’m in my pj’s. “I should get ready for work. It was nice to see you again,” I declared, giving him a small smile, then turned to leave, but the Prince grabbed my palm.
“Farrah, could we talk for a moment? I will let Nigel Know I kept you from your duties,” Dax asked with his charming smile. My heart beats rapidly in my chest, and my tummy turns in knots.
I swallow hard then mumble shyly. “Sure.”
Dax gestured towards the table near us, and we walked over to it. He pulled out my chair, letting me sit first.
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. After I sat, Dax took the seat across from me. “So, what is it you need to speak to me about?”
“Miss Farrah, I would like to ask you something,” Dax said vaguely.
“Okay, of course,” I responded.
As soon as the Prince spoke, the library filled with loud arguing, and both our attention went straight to the commotion.
“NO!” Avianna screamed towards her father.
“You will do as you are told. Simon is my top soldier, and you will marry him,” The Alpha King retorted heatedly.
“Or what? You will force me out of the Palace just like you did, Gianna?” Avianna said resentfully.
The Alpha King’s glare was so harsh. So much hostility between the two.
The King lifted his palm and slapped Avianna across the cheek. “Don’t speak of your sister in this Palace ever,” her father growled.
Without pause, I stormed over to them, moving between the two, not thinking of my job but solely my friend who has simply shown me kindness since I arrived here. I shoved the King backward. “How dare you!” I howl, jabbing my finger into his chest. “I may be a measly maid, but I assure you I will not stand around while you put your hands on her,” I said with intensity as if my innards were on fire.
The tension only thickened, but I was bracing for the repercussions of my actions. The King glared heavily. “Maid, know your place,” He expressed, snatching me by my throat. Instantly, I choked for breath.
“Father, you better take your hands off her now,” Dax snarled, stepping to his father, ready for a battle.
The Alpha King met his son's fierceson's fierce gaze. “You side with the maid over your family?” He spat back, easing his clutch on me.
“You stopped being a father long ago. To force Avianna into a marriage, she doesn’t want is against all things our people go by. What would the moon goddess think? Let Avianna find her mate as our people should and have for many years,” Dax said, never taking his eyes off his father.
The king let me go, and Dax placed me behind him, shielding me from his father or all ready to harm me.
“Fine,” the King said, peering around Dax at me. “Remember what you incur for your mother, Farrah,” He spoke sternly, then fled the room.
Dax turned to Avianna and me. “Are you both alright?” he inquired, tipping my head back to see if his father had left a handprint on my neck.
I planted my palm on his forearm. “I’m fine,” I assured him, then faced Avianna. “Are you okay?” I sought, drawing her into a hug.
Avianna nodded, leaning into my embrace. “I will be fine. This is not the first time he has gone crazy on us,” she informed, taking a deep breath.
Pulling away, I looked her in the eye. “Come by later tonight. We will have drinks, watch movies, and have girl time, but I must get to work,” I explained.
Avianna grinned, clutching my hand. “Thank you for being brave and standing up for me,” she murmured, then wandered off, waving to Dax before she departed.
As I swung back towards Dax, his customary smirk appeared. “What?”
“Oh, nothing, it’s just no one has ever stood up to my father,” he chuckled.
I shrugged. “At that moment, he was not a king. He was someone hurting someone dear to me, and in my life, I have little of that left,” I replied, then c****d my head. “Did you say, moon goddess and mate?” I inquired curiously, lifting an eyebrow at him.
“You shall soon find out,” Dax whispered while planting a kiss on the top of my hand. “I will see you later, Farrah Knight,” His voice purred my name, and I melted into a puddle of goo.
“Mmm-hmm,” is all that left my lips, and he gave me a wink, then made his exit, and my heart raced at the speed of light for another encounter.
Hours later…
Duties today were laundry and folding. Luckily I didn’t get fired. Nigel said nothing about the King.
After finishing my 6th load of laundry, Nigel walked over. “Farrah?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“Meeting in ten minutes,” Nigel announced.
“Okay, Sir,”
Nigel went off to tell the rest of the crew while I finished up folding, then headed over to the meeting area.
The staff huddled around, awaiting Nigel’s announcement. Stacie stood a few feet away, looking out of it. I stepped over to her, even though she loathes me for no reason. I nevertheless felt I needed to check on her.
“Hey Stacie, are you feeling well?” I asked, concerned.
She turned towards me with a peeved expression. “Why do you care?”
Tired of people walking all over me, I said what was on my mind this time. “Why are you such a b***h to me? I have done nothing but be kind to you,” I spat back, turning to walk away.
“Wait,” Stacie said mildly, catching my arm. As I faced her again, she had a look of regret on her face. “I’m sorry for constantly being such an ass all the time,” she apologized.
Me being the caring person I am, I accepted her apology. “It’s fine, but what is going on? You have been acting weird since the night of the auction and last night was completely out of character for you. You came back wasted,” I said, waiting for an explanation.
Stacie exhaled. “Can we chat away from the others?” She suggested.
“Sure,” I responded, and she pulled me away towards a quieter area.
She pondered for a moment before speaking. “Farrah, the night of the auction I felt it was a chance to get out of being a maid and create a better life for me. I have spent all my life battling to support my family when my father became sick and died suddenly but instead of finding prince charming I discovered an ill, disturbed man,” Stacie explained as tears fell down her porcelain skin.
I brushed her shoulder for comfort. “Hey it’s okay, take your time.” Assuring her there was no rush. “Take a breath.” I demonstrated, and she breathed in and out a couple of times, then her whimpers became more at ease.
“He r***d me,” Stacie breathed, then shattered into tears.
Instantly, I pulled her into an embrace. “Oh Stacie, I’m so sorry,” I whispered.
“That’s not the worst part, I’m pregnant,” she said through sobs.
- Writer
